The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is just days away from its official announcement on July 9, but for me, it’s already clear that this phone is heading for disaster. The reason? Samsung’s decision to stick with a 4,400 mAh battery, or worse, even consider reducing it further. Sure, many will defend the decision, citing the thinner design of the device.
But here’s the issue: we’re in 2025, and the battery problem is no longer a physical limitation; it’s an innovation failure.
We’re talking about silicon-carbon batteries, which have been around for some time now. These batteries are denser than standard lithium-ion batteries and offer better energy conservation, allowing for larger battery capacities in slimmer designs. Oppo’s Find N5, for example, boasts a 5,600 mAh battery in an 8.93 mm body, and the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro packs a 5,700 mAh battery in a slightly thicker design. Both are remarkable achievements that Samsung seems unwilling to replicate.
Why isn’t Samsung using this technology? The most likely explanation is cost. Silicon-carbon batteries are more expensive, and Samsung seems unwilling to pay for them or pass the cost onto consumers. This decision means Samsung is falling behind, with its competitors, including Apple, now catching up in terms of both battery endurance and capacity. The Galaxy S Ultra lineup, for example, has been stuck with a 5,000 mAh battery for years, while others have already pushed the envelope.
Could Samsung be holding out for a homegrown solution? They did unveil a solid-state battery in 2024, but it’s far from ready for mass production, with performance numbers not even close to matching existing battery technologies. So, the dream of a Samsung phone with cutting-edge batteries seems distant.
But here’s the thing: Samsung should have moved on from the Galaxy Note 7 disaster by now. That 2016 fiasco was a turning point for the company, but the world has changed, and it’s time for Samsung to get back to experimenting with battery tech, this time safely. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 had the potential to finally let Samsung retake the foldable throne, but instead, it risks being another near-miss in a world where its competitors are already leading the charge.
Samsung may have a solid design, with improvements to the cover screen, removal of the inner selfie camera, and the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, but it’s still trailing behind in terms of battery innovation. Meanwhile, the competition is stepping up-brands like Oppo, Honor, and Vivo are ready to dominate the global foldable market, leaving Samsung in the dust.